For small towns, these projects could be a source of economic growth, something rural Kansas counties have been searching for. But, skepticism has also grown alongside wind and solar, and that is putting some of the potential growth on hold. It’s not just the wind and solar farms growing, it’s also the country’s demand for energy.
Read more: CJonline

The Wichita area grew faster than Kansas as a whole over the past five years or so and is seeing its population of young people and racial minorities grow. While Wichita is growing faster than the state, its suburbs are growing the quickest, and the region is showing healthy signs.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

Despite only having 333 residents, Lucas is making national news, thanks to a thriving arts scene. The town in Russell County was included in two different lists for the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards in art this week. The town’s Garden of Eden was found in the list of Best Sculpture Parks and the city found itself in the list of Best Small Town Arts Scenes.
Read more: Salina Journal

After months of work and a few clarifications, Riley County on Monday unanimously approved amendments to short-term rental regulations for properties in unincorporated areas of the county. One amendment defines how the county may waive the 500-foot separation requirement between units. “Thus it was proposed to revise the language to directly focus on primary issues, which were traffic and parking,” county planner Bob Isaac said. “It’s a matter of phrasing, but it includes that and gets directly to the point.”
Read more: News Radio KMAN

Within the same breath, 10 years can feel both as if decades have passed or it has just been a few minutes, and for many, the moment happens at the same instant. On Feb. 26, 10 years will have passed since a random act of violence shook Hesston to its core during the Excel shooting, where Joshua Higbee, Renee Benjamin and Brian Sadowsky were killed, along with the perpetrator, Cedric Ford, and 14 others were wounded. Ford’s rampage began when he fired shots at cars near the intersection of 12th and Meridian, in Newton, followed by more shooting at Old 81 and Meridian before he returned to Hesston. Even though many memories are forever etched for those who were there, worked or responded to the tragedy, one thing that never changed was the Hesston community’s ability to heal.
Read more: Harvey County Now